School Board Passes Resolution to End Hate Speech

On March 11th, the Santa Cruz City Schools Board of Trustees passed a resolution to eliminate the use of the N-Word and all Hate Speech within the school community. This resolution was recommended by students in the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council on Race & Equity, who have asked the district to address the normalization of hate speech and use of the N-word in our community and school campuses.

The resolution calls to address this issue through curriculum, staff training, family outreach and student-led activity on campus.

The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council on Race & Equity is composed of students from all district Middle & High schools who meet regularly on each campus. Twice a year, they come together for a planning retreat that allows them to collaborate with their colleagues from other schools and provide direct input to district staff. Superintendent Kris Munro said that students quickly came to a consensus in their work this year that eliminating hate speech, and the N-word in particular, should be a district priority.

“Sadly, words and speech we long hoped were fading from our society have been on the rise across the country,” said Munro. “Our students have been clear, asking us to meet this moment with coordinated efforts. We have a responsibility to educate students on the history of these words, and demonstrate clearly that they have no place on campus or anywhere else.”

At the same board meeting on March 11th, based on student recommendation, Trustees voted to amend the district’s nondiscrimination policy to specifically state that eliminating hate speech was imperative, and aligned with core district values. Board president Kyle Kelley expressed his gratitude for student leadership.

“I’m proud that students in our district feel empowered to speak up, engage and even to make an impact on policy,” said Kelley. “Our students did their research, seeing what has been done elsewhere, before bringing this policy and resolution forward with the goal of ensuring that each and every student feels safe and valued in our community.”

This Spring, students will be working with site leaders to implement the action plans they developed in February. Hear from the Student Leaders who have been spearheading these initiatives:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR3eCBdp_ZY

See the full resolution below:

–

SANTA CRUZ CITY SCHOOLS RESOLUTION NO. 11-25-26

RESOLUTION: ELIMINATING THE USE OF THE N-WORD AND ALL HATE SPEECH

WHEREAS, Santa Cruz City Schools’ Vision affirms that the District creates and

supports learning environments that challenge and enable each and every student to achieve their highest potential; and

WHEREAS, the SCCS Core Values affirm that every person has intrinsic worth,

deserves dignity and respect, thrives in safe environments, and benefits from access, equity, honesty, integrity, and inclusion in a diverse community; and

WHEREAS, SCCS Strategic Goals call for positive and engaging school environments,

the social-emotional well-being of all students, the elimination of achievement gaps, and strong communication and partnerships with our community; and

WHEREAS, the District acknowledges the historical and ongoing harms caused by

racism, white supremacy, anti-Blackness, and other forms of discrimination, and recognizes its responsibility to actively address these harms within our schools; and

WHEREAS, the N-word is among the most offensive and harmful words in the English

language, rooted in a history of racial violence, dehumanization, and oppression; and

WHEREAS, hate speech in any form — including language that demeans individuals or

groups based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation,

disability, or other protected identities — undermines student well-being, belonging, academic success, and school climate; and

WHEREAS, the increasing normalization of harmful language in popular culture and social media has contributed to rising incidents of offensive speech among students, negatively impacting African American students and other historically marginalized communities; and

WHEREAS, the use of the N-word or other hate speech in schools — regardless of

intent — causes real harm, disrupts learning, contradicts SCCS Core Values, and impedes the District’s ability to close opportunity and achievement gaps; and

WHEREAS, Santa Cruz City Schools maintains policies prohibiting harassment,

bullying, discrimination, and the use of vulgar, obscene, or demeaning language; and

WHEREAS, the Superintendent’s Student Advisory on Race and Equity has

recommended formal District action to eliminate the use of the N-word and all hate speech and to strengthen education, prevention, and restorative responses;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF SANTA CRUZ CITY SCHOOLS AS FOLLOWS:

1. Affirms that the N-word and all forms of hate speech are unacceptable in District schools, programs, and activities, except when used in structured instructional settings that explicitly examine historical context and harm.

2. Reinforces SCCS Core Values by committing to school environments that uphold dignity, respect, safety, honesty, integrity, access, equity, and the intrinsic worth of every student and staff member.

3. Aligns this resolution to SCCS Strategic Goals by supporting positive, engaging school climates; strengthening students’ social-emotional well-being; reducing harm that contributes to achievement gaps; and promoting inclusive, high-expectation learning environments.

4. Directs staff to implement proactive education and prevention efforts, including curriculum, student learning modules, staff professional learning, and family outreach focused on respectful language, identity affirmation, and the impact of harmful speech.

5. Commits to restorative and instructional responses when harmful language occurs, prioritizing learning, accountability, reflection, repair, and growth — while maintaining clear behavioral expectations and consequences when speech is used to demean, intimidate, or harm.

6. Elevates student voice and leadership by continuing partnership with the Superintendent’s Student Advisory on Race and Equity to guide implementation, monitor impact, and strengthen school culture.

7. Encourages districtwide and site-based initiatives, including communication campaigns, community conversations, and visual reminders that reinforce SCCS’s shared commitment to belonging, respect, and equity.

8. Affirms the District’s responsibility to ensure that every SCCS student learns in an environment where they feel safe, valued, included, and empowered to achieve their highest potential.